IVF or In-vitro Fertilization is an ART solution which is routinely used to help couples facing fertility issues. It is more commonly known as the ‘Test-tube baby’ procedure. It is the procedure by which the prepared sperm and ovum are made to fertilise under laboratory conditions; the embryo is then transferred back to the uterus of the female partner for further development.
Certain women face problems with ovulation, but produce eggs when stimulated with fertility drugs without conceiving. In such cases, specialists opt to stimulate the ovary to produce many ova and then select the best for fertilization and transfer.Ovulation disorder generally happens for women over 40 when hormone levels might be irregular because there are few eggs left to ovulate. For women under 40, premature ovarian failure is when ovaries stop working normally. In such cases, IVF may be suggested by the doctors.
IVF should be considered in the cases where the fallopian tubes are badly damaged and tubal surgery may have decreased chances of success than IVF or in most cases where tubal surgery has already been unsuccessful. IVF can be considered if both fallopian tubes are blocked or damaged. It’s a tubal factor infertility that prevents natural conception. During IVF, the ovaries are stimulated to produce several eggs, which are then retrieved. The eggs are then fertilized in the laboratory, and fertilized embryos are placed into the uterus where they can implant and grow, so In vitro fertilization (IVF) can bypass the fallopian tubes altogether.
Endometriosis is a disorder wherein tissue similar to the tissue lining the uterus grows outside the uterine cavity.Such women with endometriosis may also benefit from the IVF procedure.You may need some special monitoring and careful management of fertility medications because they can temporarily trigger symptoms of endometriosis, but your chances of success are good. So if you have endometriosis and you wish to start a family, IVF is a good solution.
IVF is a good option for partners with low sperm count who have been trying to conceive naturally for at least 2 years.When the sperm of the male partner has low motility, count or certain structural abnormality but may still have the potential to fertilize an ovum, in such cases carefull preparation by embryologists and an IVF procedure may help such couples to conceive.
IVF along with other genomic procedures may be recommended to couples who have or had previous children with genetic disorders.and for people who already know, they are at risk for passing on a genetic disease. However, for most of the babies born with genetic disorders, there is not much-known family history. Through IVF and technical advancement, it has become quite feasible to detect genetic disorders, and accordingly, healthy embryos can be curated by eliminating any problematic genes causing genetic birth defects.
Couples recommended for IVF are required to go through a number of investigations and procedures:
IVF treatment may be cumbersome physically and emotionally for the couple. Counselling with Crysta Counselors help couples understand their treatment regime and voice their concerns which is important prior to the start of the procedure.
Ovarian stimulation leads to maturing of follicles. The growth of these follicles is monitored over 10-12 days. The ovarian response is measured through blood investigations and ultrasound at regular intervals. This process helps to control the size, quality and quantity of the maturing follicles.
Medication and final stimulation leads to the release of the mature ovum. The ovum is collected in the clinic and is done by ultrasound guidance under sedition. The collected ovum is then sent to the embryologist for processing in the ART laboratory.
The male partner is asked to provide a fresh semen sample on the same day. If required, sperm may be extracted from the testes or epididymis by a surgical procedure.
The prepared sperm and ovum are fertilized under laboratory conditions to form the embryo. Several such embryos are prepared by the embryologist and based upon the quality is transferred to the uterus of the female partner on the day 3 or day 5 stage of the embryo.
Post transfer of the embryo, the ART specialist may prescribe medication and other routine care to enhance the chances of implantation. After a particular period of time, pregnancy tests may be recommended to confirm pregnancy.
The cost of an IVF procedure is approximately 1.5 Lakhs, but is dependent upon the medical condition of the couple. There may be additional medication and treatments suggested for the couple which may further vary the cost.
The success of an IVF procedure is around 30-35%, however in women younger than the age of 35 years the success rate is around 40%. The success of an IVF procedure depends upon a number of factors such as: